Jose Capulong

José "Joe" Enriquez Capulong, was reunited with his Creator and loved ones in heaven on Thursday, January 7, 2016. He will be remembered by many as a jolly and generous man who loved God, his family, his hometown, his friends, and America. Tatang Joe was born in Angeles, Pampanga, Philippines on October 15, 1922 to Juan Capulong and Victoria Enriquez, and grew up in Santa Rita, Minalin, Pampanga. He graduated from the University of the Philippines and throughout his career was a teacher and health inspector at Clark Air Force Base, and a messenger for a travel office in the U.S.. Tatang Joe served under the United States Army, Philippine Scouts, during World War II, during which he survived the Bataan Death March of 1942. In 1950, he married Patricia Cabaquit Pineda and together they raised 3 children: Omar, Lilian, and Abner. He dreamed of a better life for his family in America, and in 1979, Tatang Joe, Imang Pat, and Abner would start a new life in San Francisco, California. Over the years they established new roots for their family in Daly City and South San Francisco. After immigrating to the U.S., Tatang Joe and Imang Pat continued to be devoted members of OCDS, commonly known as the Secular Carmelites (a religious association of the Catholic Church composed of lay persons and secular clergy). Tatang Joe was an active community leader in his hometown of Minalin. He served as barrio lieutenant of Santa Rita, Minalin - initiating sanitary toilets, a fire brigade, a community library, and a health center. He led the construction of the Santa Rita Chapel in the 1960s. After immigrating to the U.S. he continued his support as a dedicated member of the Minalenian Club of Northern California. He was particularly known for photographing the Minalenian fiestas, picnics, casino trips, and other special events, after which he would print and share these memories with his fellow cabalen. In his later years, old age and a wheelchair would not prevent him from attending events, no matter how far. Tatang Joe lived a life that exemplified his values. We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from him throughout his 93 beautiful years. Above all lessons, he taught us to share. Share your ideas. Share your blessings with those less fortunate. Make people laugh. And lastly... "Be good." To his family, he was Grampa. Grampa excelled at collecting mugs, beanies, and baseball caps; composting banana peels before composting was a thing; and telling stories about life "back home in Paralaya." He took his grandkids swimming and horse back riding in the summers. He travelled the world with the love of his life. He gardened everyday in the Philippines and in Daly City until Gramma was no longer with us. Grampa was never too old to tease his kids and grandkids. He was a sweet tooth, with a strong preference for coffee, cookies, and ice cream. He spent hours and hours of his daily life chronicling his family's moments and milestones, building a towering library of albums and home videos. Tatang Joe's spirit is carried on by his 3 children, 10 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren whom he captured in those albums and videos: Omar (wife Louella, children Karina, Shelly, and Vivian); Lilian (husband Manny, children Denise, Erika, Emanuel "Bboy" and Joanna); and Abner (wife Nini, children Clarissa, Eliza, and Daniel José "DJ"); great-grandchildren (of Eliza) Soleil, Matt-Matt, and Ella; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends and family too numerous to list but not forgotten. Tatang Joe is reunited with his wife and favorite dance partner, Imang Pat, and is predeceased by two siblings, Alfonso "Papa Inton" and Felina "Grandma Nene." We imagine that he is dancing with Gramma Pat and joking with friends - coffee in one hand and a big smile on his face. Thank you for being a part of his beautiful life.